Non-aqueous controlled release insect repellent and insecticide gels

Abstract

Controlled release insect repellent or insecticide based on a non-aqueous gel composition comprising from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of one or more diblock, triblock, radial block and/or multiblock copolymers, or a mixture thereof, based on synthetic thermoplastic rubbers. The ratio of the diblock copolymer to triblock, radial block and/or multiblock copolymer can be varied from about 0 percent to about 100 percent in either direction. The higher the tri-block percentage, the stiffer the resultant gel. The material to be gelled is a hydrocarbon which based on its physical properties plays an important role in setting the controlled release rate. The composition of the hydrocarbon can vary in carbon chain length from an average of about C-13 to about C-30 and can vary in vapor pressure from about 2.3 mm Hg at 20° C. to less than about 0.1 mm Hg at 20° C. The hydrocarbon range on a weight basis is from about 65 to about 95 percent of the total weight of the gelled composition. The controlled release agent or active agent may comprise from about 0.1 to about 30 percent of the gel on a weight basis.

I claim: 
     
       1. A non-aqueous, controlled-release insecticide composition comprising: (a) from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrocarbon;   (b) from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of one or more diblock, triblock, radial block and/or multiblock copolymers, or a mixture thereof comprising from about 0 to about 100 weight percent of said one or more diblock copolymers and from about 100 to about 0 weight percent of said one or more triblock, radial block and/or multiblock copolymers; and   (c) from about 0.1 to about 30 weight percent of one or more insecticides as an active substance.   
     
     
       2. The non-aqueous, controlled-release insecticide composition according to claim 1, wherein said active substance comprises from about 1 to about 10 weight percent. 
     
     
       3. The non-aqueous, controlled-release insecticide composition according to claim 1, wherein said hydrocarbon comprises an average of from about 13 to about 30 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       4. The non-aqueous, controlled-release insecticide composition according to claim 1, wherein said active substance is selected from the group consisting of bait, stomach kill, residual contact kill and fumigant kill insecticides. 
     
     
       5. The non-aqueous, controlled-release insecticide composition according to claim 1, wherein said active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of pyrethroids, carbamates, phosphorothioates, organophosphates, chrysanthemums and juvenile hormones. 
     
     
       6. A method for exterminating insects comprising: providing a controlled release, stiff hydrocarbon gel comprising from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrocarbon; and, from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of one or more diblock, triblock, radial block and/or multiblock copolymers, or a mixture thereof comprising from about 0 to about 100 weight percent of said one or more diblock copolymers and from about 100 to about 0 weight percent of said one or more triblock, radial block and/or multiblock copolymers;   heating said controlled release hydrocarbon gel to form a substantially melted hydrocarbon/polymer mixture; and   adding from about 0.1 to about 30 weight percent of an active substance, wherein said active substance is selected from the group consisting of one or more insecticides.